Hope Jam 2016

I was thinking recently about the difference between prosperity and wealth. I thought back to my experiences in life, and what I have seen in the lives of others. If financial blessing is interpreted as WEALTH, it usually evolves into a “Here’s How I Made This Happen for Myself” situation. We, as Christians, know that kind of thinking is wrong, but it’s what happens when we think of ourselves as wealthy.

On the other hand, if financial blessing is interpreted as PROSPERITY, that word has more of a spiritual connotation to it. It is usually attached to a person’s GENEROSITY. The Prosperous person tends to pass Prosperity along to others because of their Generosity.

The more Generous the person is the more it comes back to them, and in time the more PROSPEROUS they become, and it just doesn’t stop! How does that happen? It happens when people decide to be Sharers!

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen.
Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:10

Each farmer in Israel was directed to leave the corners of his harvest field for the poor and needy. It was God’s way of saying, “You don’t need to take it ALL, after all, I’m the provider of your harvest. So, leave some for others, less fortunate than you. Be a SHARER.”

See, God doesn’t want us to rely on ourselves. He doesn’t want us to think, “Look what I made happen!” Dependency on Him is a vital part of our relationship with Him.

This doesn’t mean we have to do without. There’s plenty for everyone, if we’ll all be SHARERS, like the farmers were in Israel. Sharing has its roots in Generosity. Poverty is a result of man wanting it all and keeping it all.

In God’s economy, the Jewish people, by law, were under authority to share their harvest with the less fortunate in their area. Here’s what it guaranteed:

1. It reminded every Israelite that God is GENEROUS.

2. It meant those who were less fortunate were in the fields all day sweating to get their portion, just like the farmers were with their employees. Consequently, they learned that WORK is the key to personal sustenance.

3. All of them learned a humble DEPENDENCY upon The Lord.

That is the key to Prosperity: being generous, working for what we have, and remaining dependent on The Lord.

This is the lesson we are SHARING with those in our community. Many of the people who come to us for help are in a critical financial situation. Their families are suffering, their children are hungry, and they know they can’t do it alone anymore.

Your support helps us teach them about prosperity by showing them how God meets their needs.

We are GENEROUS with what we have. We share our knowledge of how to find jobs, where to find housing, and we share with them the skills they will need to succeed and build strong families.

We help them find the WORK they need to support their families.

As our relationship with them progresses, we introduce them to our Provider. We help them understand that we are DEPENDENT on Him, and He will Provide for them as well.

Your support helps us help them. We are so thankful for all you give to the children and families in Miami. You are a Sharer!

In just a few weeks, we will host our largest community outreach of the year. Through Hope Jam, we reach out to thousands of men, women, and children in just one morning.

On that day, we will give out bags of groceries and farm-fresh produce. We provide on-site medical and dental care to people who haven’t seen a doctor or dentist in years. We also have barbers and hair stylists, face painting, games, booths highlighting the community services we offer or facilitate access too, and an incredible outreach program featuring preaching, music, and prayer.

We need your help to bring Hope and Peace to those who attend. Would you consider a special donation for Hope Jam this month? Your donation of $100 would help us provide food and services to several families. Every donation helps!

We want to support you as you support the children and families in our community. Can we pray for you this month? If you have a prayer need, please let us know by filling in the form included with this letter, or call us at (786) 888-PRAY (7729).

Thank you for being a SHARER and helping us show the children and families of Miami what Prosperity really is. We pray that you have a Prosperous and Peaceful month!